Rays, D-Backs Still Looking for Relief

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Shawn Tolleson #37 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the top of the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 29, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

All offseason we've heard how the Texas Rangers have a surplus of relief pitching and are actively shopping them to interested teams for the right return.

So far, the Rangers haven't gotten that right return and they're still loaded up in bullpen depth with guys like Shawn Tolleson, Sam Dyson, Jake Diekman, Keone Kela and Tom Wilhelmsen — all power arms who are capable of closing MLB games effectively.

Early in the offseason, the Rangers were tied to the Diamondbacks, who had a surplus of starting pitching, making them a pretty viable trade partner with the Rangers. So far, nothing's happened, but GM Dave Stewart recently told Bob Nightengale the D-Backs are still open to trading for a reliever.

Then, there's the Tampa Bay Rays, who just traded Jake McGee for outfielder Corey Dickerson, giving the Rays a surplus of outfielders to match up with the Rangers' need for outfield help. The Rays now have Dickerson, Desmond Jennings and Brandon Guyer, with the latter two likely being available for the right price, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

If the Rangers go to spring training with the bullpen they currently have, it's going to arguably the best bullpen in baseball. If they go minus one of those names, it'd still be really strong and plus they'd have filled another need. Basically, it seems like it's a win-win for the Rangers whatever they decide.